Profound grief has struck both Greece and Britain following the tragic incident that occurred on Tuesday at a hotel pool in Lardos, Rhodes, when a little girl just three years old, little Matilda, was found unconscious at the bottom of a pool within a hotel complex. Despite massive mobilization of doctors, rescuers and medical services, the child remains brain dead in the Pediatric ICU at PAGNI in Crete, while the competent authorities are now called upon to answer a series of critical questions about the circumstances under which the incident occurred.
Read: Rhodes: 3-year-old found at bottom of pool officially brain dead (Video)
Following the incident, South Rhodes Police proceeded to arrest two individuals: the 54-year-old manager of the tourist agency cooperating with the hotel, declared as the “responsible supervisor” during the incident, and the 44-year-old uncle of the little girl, who according to police had responsibility for supervising the child at the fatal moment. Both were brought before the Rhodes Prosecutor, who, after studying the case file, ordered a formal investigation.
Meanwhile, according to the dimokratiki website, others held responsible in the case include the 57-year-old legal representative of the hotel’s owner company, the 59-year-old hotel manager, and the child’s parents, aged 41 and 37. Criminal charges for felonies were filed against the hotel company representative and manager, while misdemeanor charges were filed against the others. Specifically, they are prosecuted for endangerment resulting in serious bodily harm to the victim and for serious bodily harm due to negligence. The defendants requested and received a postponement to give their testimony on Friday.
Death of 3-year-old in Rhodes: The timeline of an incomprehensible tragedy
The incident occurred around 11:50 AM at a hotel in Lardos, South Rhodes. Little Matilda, who was vacationing with her family from the United Kingdom, was found unconscious at the bottom of the pool serving four suites in the complex.
According to the official police report, the child was found unconscious, while first aid was provided by a British emergency doctor who happened to be at the scene and jumped into the water to pull her out. Despite superhuman resuscitation efforts (CPR), the child did not respond.
EKAB emergency services were immediately notified and at 12:30 PM the little girl was transferred to Rhodes General Hospital, where she was intubated. Doctors diagnosed extensive brain swelling, and as stated by the hospital’s deputy director, Mr. Michalis Sokorelos, the little girl’s health condition was from the beginning “incompatible with life“.
A few hours later, on EKAB’s orders, it was decided to airlift little Matilda to Crete. The little girl was transferred that same evening to Heraklion University Hospital (PAGNI), accompanied by her mother and a medical team.
There, the child immediately underwent a CT scan, which showed traces of function in a limited part of the brain. Neurosurgeon and hospital director Mr. Georgios Chalkiadakis stated to ERT Heraklion:
The preliminary investigation continues. Statements have already been taken while security camera footage is expected to prove crucial.
